A Systematic Review to Assess the Effectiveness of Technology-Based Interventions to Address Obesity in Children

Abstract

Background Childhood obesity is associated with a multitude of co-morbidities, including hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Childhood obesity can also affect a young person’s social, emotional and mental health if they encounter negative prejudice and social marginalisation. Given the prevalence of overweight and obese children globally, it is imperative that effective interventions are developed. Children are receptive to information conveyed via digital means, therefore, the use of technology may play a crucial role in interventions to reduce childhood obesity. This systematic review aimed to review and critically appraise the literature published to date in relation to the effectiveness of technology-based interventions, employed as secondary prevention, in addressing childhood obesity.Methods An electronic search strategy was undertaken in Medline and Embase, covering publications up to and including 12th July 2018. Randomised controlled trials assessing the effectiveness of technology-based interventions on weight-related outcomes in children, aged 8 to 18, published only in the English language, were included.Results From an initial search total of 1,012 studies, 11 met the inclusion criteria. They were assessed for methodological quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomised Controlled Trials and were analysed using a narrative approach. The findings of this review showed a limited potential of technology-based interventions, employed as secondary prevention, to address childhood obesity. Of the eleven studies reviewed, three (27%) showed a positive relationship between technology-based interventions and weight-related outcomes in overweight or obese children.Conclusions This review suggests that technology-based interventions, primarily active video games, as well as internet or web-based interventions and mobile phone communications, may, with further research, have the potential to impact positively on weight-related outcomes. It is difficult to determine the degree of efficacy of these technology-based interventions, as only two databases were searched, selecting only English language articles. Moreover, the included studies demonstrated a lack of high-quality evidence. The lack and heterogeneity of studies with technology-based interventions is a further limitation.

Childhood obesity prevention: what can be achieved?

“…Further research on technology-based interventions could increase the chance of reaching children even when physical access is not possible [72].…”

Family history of arterial hypertension and central adiposity: impact on blood pressure in schoolchildren

“…For a better approach to this health problem, it is essential to prioritize the most vulnerable population groups and identify as much as possible the risk factors for the development of AH. In addition to genetic predisposition, an environmental aspect that has reached large proportions and is related to AH is physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle which, associated with inadequate nutrition, result in obesity [12][13][14], lower cardiorespiratory fitness and metabolic disorders in children and adolescents [15]. The influence of lifestyle on the health of different population groups, including children and adolescents that can lead to numerous diseases, among them, AH is discussed and analyzed in a comprehensive way [16][17][18].…”

Digital behaviour change interventions to promote physical activity in overweight and obese adolescents: a systematic review protocol

“…DBCIs are utilised for health promotion by providing individual support in the "real world" to change specific behaviours in specific contexts [14]. Previous systematic reviews have investigated the evidence on the effectiveness of digital interventions to improve diet quality and increase physical activity in adolescents in general [15] as well as weight-related outcomes [16]. However, the data on effects of DBCI targeting overweight and obese adolescents on physical activity behaviour are still lacking [16].…”